The Skills Development Tests

The SPSV Skills Development Tests are administered on behalf of the National Transport Authority by Prometric Ireland Limited. Prometric Ireland has over 40 test locations around the country, and you can arrange to take your test at a time and location that is most convenient for you.

The test is taken using a mouse or simple touch-screen computerised system. All questions are based on multiple-choice. Each question is presented along with four alternative answers, only one (or in some cases two) of which are correct. You select the answer(s) you think are correct by clicking on or touching your chosen option(s).

Before you take your test, a short demonstration will show you how to answer the questions, and you can answer some practice questions to get used to the system. You do not need to be able to use a computer to take the test. If you make a mistake or change your mind, you can cancel your answer. If you want to skip a question, you can come back and answer it at the end.

At the end of each section, you can review your answers and, if you wish, change them. The test is scored automatically and results are made available to you immediately. If successful, you will receive the Skills Development Certificate. This will be posted to you within two weeks of successfully completing the test.

Entry Test

New driver licence or dispatch operator licence applicants must sit the Entry Test. This test contains two modules with 90 multiple-choice questions in total. The test will last approximately 1 hour 45 minutes including tutorial and survey.

The Industry Knowledge module contains 54 questions relating to the rules and regulations of operating in the SPSV industry, as set out inThe Official Manual for Operating in the SPSV Industry. You then choose the county in which you wish to be licensed and proceed to the Area Knowledge module, which contains 36 questions relating to your chosen area. When booking you should select the SPSV Entry Test.

Industry Knowledge Test

For those who already hold an SPSV driver licence the test consists only of the Industry Knowledge module as described above. You will have 54 minutes to complete the test. The appointment time is slightly longer to accommodate a tutorial at the beginning and a survey at the end. The entire process will take approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. When booking you should select the Industry Knowledge Test.

Area Knowledge Test

Those who already hold an SPSV driver licence and wish to become licensed for an additional county must sit an Area Knowledge Test for that county. The test consists only of the Area Knowledge module as described above. You will have 36 minutes to complete the test. The appointment time is slightly longer to accommodate a tutorial at the beginning and a survey at the end. The entire process will take approximately 55 minutes. When booking you should select the Area Knowledge Test.

Dispatch Operator Test

Those who wish to become licensed as a dispatch operator must sit the Dispatch Operator Test. The test is comprised of two modules. The first module, entitled ‘Industry Knowledge’ contains 45 questions relating to the rules and regulations of operating in the SPSV industry, as set out in The Official Manual for Operating in the SPSV Industry. Module two, entitled ‘Map Reading’ contains 15 questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete the test. The appointment time is slightly longer to accommodate a tutorial at the beginning and a survey at the end. The entire process will take approximately 80 minutes. When booking you should select the Dispatch Operator Test.